*NCT.
FRESH CALLS have been made for an NCT centre to be opened in West Clare.
Currently the entire of the county is served by one NCT centre which is located on the Quin Rd in Ennis.
In May 2022, plans were scrapped for the opening of a second NCT centre which was to be situated in Shannon. The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) said the development was halted “due to significant contractual difficulties”, and that “alternative locations in the area are being sourced”.
Construction work had already commenced in the summer of 2021 on the centre which was to be located in the Smithstown Industrial Estate and was set to be operational by the end of 2021.
Having tabled a motion in March 2019 seeking that West Clare be considered as the home for a NCT centre, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) has this month reignited that bid. He proposed that Clare County Council “call on the Road Safety Authority to locate a second N.C.T Centre in Co. Clare”.
Speaking on Monday, Cllr Keating stated, “it is now time for the Minister for Transport to address the incompetent service in operation. An arrangement with a company operating on a monopoly basis is not fit for purpose. The carry out of car tests on private vehicles is mandatory. This proposal would have the potential to provide employment at local level for many people and enhanced opportunities for apprenticeships. It is five years ago since I first proposed this, if anything the situation has got worse”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) pointed out, “We found a property and someone willing to operate it in West Clare but we heard nothing since”. He previously flagged the matter at the May 2023 meeting of the West Clare Municipal District and was told that they would be writing to Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) on behalf of elected members.
Prior to getting elected, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said he wrote to the NCTS asking them to relocate a new centre to West Clare. “People with suitable premises came to me in Kilrush and Miltown Malbay, there’s plenty of suitable places,” he commented. “We need a second centre in the county, I believe it should be in West Clare, people are waiting four to six months for an appointment. The people of West Clare deserve the second centre”.
Ennis based, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) pointed out, “the NCT model was brought in to have no backlogs but there are backlogs and more cars on the road”.
An update on Cllr Keating’s motion tabled five years ago was sought by Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), “what was the feedback”. He added, “I’d like to compliment the staff in the existing centre who are working long hours”.
Cllr Keating replied, “The feedback I got was the contractor has no plans to open another centre. We need a better service”. He continued, “it is not good enough, we are not moving with the times”.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) said he booked an appointment in August and will be waiting until the beginning of November, “it is about eight days”.
